Meatball or Mutron: suggestions for next build

[charbot]

I'm relatively new to all of this, but after a few successful builds ( easy face, tb oct, Dr quack and orange comp.) I've been wanting to step up to the next level.   the nuetron and the mcmeat have caught my eye. Does anyone who has built one or both of these have any thoughts, praise, caveats, whatever to say regarding these guys?

Normally I like a lot of knobs but the mcmeat may be over the limit.  Do they actually allow for a wider range of sound or are some too subtle to make much of a difference.

thanks  charles

[lowstar]

hi charbot,
i built the mcmeat, the neutron is hard on it´s heels (waiting for the optocouplers, board already etched and awaiting populating). i did it on perf, it was before my etching era. a lot of offboard wiring, in my opinion worth the work. the multitude of knobs definitely makes for a lot of special sounds that you can´t get with normal envelope followers, they have a wide range. it can do what many different ef´s do all in one box. when you play a gig with it though, you have to settle for one sound (unless you´re an on-the-fly-between-songs-tweaker, which i´m not. btw, that´s the only thing i don´t like about my tc chorus-i´d like to be able to use the chorus, pm and flanger on their own in different songs...).
if you do decide to build it, there´s some humble advice from me:
1) the offboard wiring, there are some helpful drawings on the pisotones site - but compare them carefully with the schematic, especially for the lorlin switches.
2) for debugging, it is VERY important to bear in mind that in some configurations of the knobs (actually in many configurations), there will be no filtered sounds coming out of the box. first, put the blend control all the way to wet. second, put the mod to "full" or "1/2", third the attack and decay pot combi is crucial - if you have a shorter decay than attack time, there will be no quack. fourth, put the color knob to at least 75% (later, when it works, try markusw´s color-pot-mod - it works like a charm). fifth, the intensity knob to 75% as well. sixth, the sens to 50%-75%. and seventh, the dilter modes to down and band pass.
believe me, as i spent a reasonable amount of time debugging what was actually working already...

cheers,
lowstar

[charbot]

thanks,
I guess I was already set on building the mcmeat (first at least)  I etched a board and tonight i may start filling it.   I already  have many of the parts but wont be able to order the rest for a few weeks. 
i guess i have the time learn some spanish and try to read the  pisotone page.  Thanks especially for the suggested  knob positions for testing ...  you just saved me lot of grief
charles

[charbot]

also... lowstar, did you include the switchable effects loop...  just wondering where I could get those jacks...
I cant find them in mouser

[lowstar]

hey charbot,
how´s the build coming along ?
for the fx loop you actually don´t need those special jacks, i used regular open switchable mono jacks. but for testing it after you built it, i suggest to put a jumper between the two points (don´t remember the letters, but it´s on the schem) and include the fx loop later when you know the critter´s working. the isolated jacks you need for the pedal connexions.

cheers,
lowstar